KATHMANDU: Four former Nepal champions and FIDE Master Manish Hamal are on Monday leaving for Bangladesh to participate in the ninth United Insurance Chess Championship to be held in Dhaka from August 20-29.

The Nepali team comprises of former Nepal champions Keshav Shrestha, Badri Lal Nepali, Navin Tandukar, Bilam Lal Shrestha and Fide Master Hamal.

After their impressive performance in the second International Chess Tournament held in Greece last month, the 2106-rated Bilam Lal Shrestha and 2162-rated Badri Lal are in line to acquire the FIDE Master titles if they perform well in Dhaka.

Badri Lal Nepali earned five out of the total of nine points while Bilam Lal collected four points including a win over an International Master (IM) in Greece. Veteran Navin Tandukar decided to come out of his retirement to play in the tournament in Dhaka.

The 2133-rated Tandukar is eyeing to increase his rating to be one of the contenders for the FIDE Master title. “I took the decision to continue with the game and increase my rating which has been stagnant for a long span of time,” said the 50-year-old player.

Nepal’s only FIDE Master Manish Hamal and former Nepal champion 2134-rated Keshav Shrestha would also be looking forward to better their ratings after the tournament.

Though the tournament demanded the players to meet the minimum of 2100 rating mark, the 2084-rated FM Hamal’s participation was granted by the Bangladesh Chess Federation.

The $5,000 tournament will be played under the Swiss league format over 10 rounds. The Nepali team will be accompanied by team manager Krishna Prasad Shrestha, the Treasurer of the Nepal Chess Association (NCA).

President of the Nepal Chess Association Rajesh Hari Joshi among others bade farewell to the team today.